Browns concerned with Winslow's knee

Longevity issues with Kellen Winslow and a potential contract dispute factored into the Browns making a surprise trade in the fourth round of the draft Sunday.

They gave up their 2009 third-round pick to select pass-catching tight end Martin Rucker of Missouri.

It was the second deal in a matter of minutes for Trader Phil Savage, both times with the Dallas Cowboys, the team that provided the Browns the picks to select Brady Quinn and Eric Wright in draft-day trades last year.

But less than 30 minutes after trading for Bell, Savage hit the speed dial for Jerry Jones again and acquired the Cowboys' next pick, 111th overall, to select Rucker.

The fact Savage did not hesitate to pay the third-round price for Rucker speaks to concerns about Winslow's recurring knee problems and his stated desire for a new contract.

"We really like Martin Rucker, but I think that always has to be in the backdrop," Savage said of the Winslow issues.

Winslow had another surgical procedure on his battered right knee in February. That was at least the fourth surgery on the knee injured in his 2005 motorcycle accident. He also had surgery on a broken right fibula and torn ankle ligaments in 2004.

Winslow openly admits he's not the player he could have been. But after earning a trip to the Pro Bowl as an alternate prior to the latest surgery, he went public with his desire for a new contract. Savage and agent Drew Rosenhaus have had conversations about it, but nothing has been resolved.

"You're talking about a player who has three years left on his deal," Savage said.

Winslow has never indicated he would hold out this summer if he didn't get a new deal. But Savage made a telling comment when defending the trade for Rucker.

"It may not be a need today, but as we found out a few years ago it could be a need in a week, two weeks or two months," he said.

No. 2 tight end Steve Heiden also had surgery recently on a bulging disk, but Savage said there is no present concern that Winslow and/or Heiden would miss the start of training camp on July 23.

Beyond the Winslow factor, however, the Browns graded out Rucker as another player worthy of second-round consideration. In fact, six weeks before Savage dealt his second-round pick to Green Bay for defensive end Corey Williams, he presented his staff a list with a dozen offensive players and a dozen on defense to consider in the second round. Bell and Rucker were on the lists, he said.

Rucker, 6-5 and 251 pounds, led all collegiate tight ends with 84 catches for Missouri. Coincidentally, Winslow's father, the Hall of Famer, previously set records at Missouri, which Rucker shattered.

Savage said that he envisioned Winslow and Rucker splitting defensive seams together on opposite ends of the field. He said that offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, a former tight end as a player and position coach, would have no problem creating schemes to include both players.

"He's certainly capable of being a starting tight end in this league," Savage said.

(plaindealer.com)